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AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) – The aftershock of the kidnapping and murder of Jessica Ridgeway has pushed some parents and police into action as the Aurora Police Department began a series of self defense classes for children.

It’s one thing to tell a child feeling trapped that he or she needs to fight back and even kick a kidnapper where it will really hurt, but to get them to do it, if necessary, is the tricky part.

More than two dozen children and parents participated in the class.

“If society now needs children to fight, well I want my children to get the best that they can get,” mother Drew Luebben said.

The class runs for 30 minutes. The first half of the class is about teaching the children who is a stranger and to be loud when sensing danger. Having the parents participate is a critical step.

“I hope that this is something that we can continue to work at,” mother Lisa Frank said.

There are still a limited number of spaces left for January’s self-defense class with Aurora police. They are planning to hold more classes but the dates have yet to be set. The programs are for children ages 6 to 12 and take place at the Aurora Police Training Academy. The class is open to the public and limited to the first 25 children plus parents. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. To register for the class, please leave a message including your name and phone number at (303) 739-1804. You will receive a confirmation return phone call.